Single Review: “Cabin In The Woods” – Yoji

To close out a fabulous top ten, we have a track that starts off all mysterious, and flips the script on wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city to find comfort in isolation – this song is all about escaping to civilisation! I like that, it’s like coming out of a …

Single Review: “Already Taken” – Sunflower Thieves

Oh I cheered when <strong>Sunflower Thieves</strong> showed up in the inbox last week….They are back! Already taken is acoustic guitar led with the addition of an analog drum pattern passed through a filter – all this puts the vocals at the front, and the lyrics simply ask how do you let go of something that’s …

Single Review: “Put A Record On” – NEEV

Slowing things down a little this is a new one from Scottish born London based artist <strong>NEEV</strong> This acoustic guitar led but layered with gorgeous harmonies, the call response in this track made me smile, you could almost hear a chamber choir over this. The traditional folk story telling is here, you are given the …

Single Review: “Radio Player” – Josaleigh Pollett

Salt Lake City you say? Well this is new territory for us! This is a song that calls upon analogue synths and pitch bends giving it a real 80s feel, the beat is off kilter and the sounds are ethereal – guitars both acoustic and electric provide a great backdrop on this – what I …

Single Review: “Liberation” – J.Chambers

Time for some hip hop infused reggae this next one comes to us from Manchester based <strong>J.Chambers</strong>, this starts off with a horn section that comes and goes throughout the track over a dubby bass, the signature piano chops of a reggae groove as well the foundation of the classic one drop groove. There is …

Single Review: “Gone” – Daniel Kinde

This starts off with a pulsating synth and low vocals that kind of leave you cold, it’s just the melody, plus the mind warping pitch bend – but then the sudden break at 0:34 introduces a single kick, before everything gets introduced, my favourite part of this track is the way the drums sit comfortably …

Single Review: “The Call” – CHIMA ANYA

Right we need to put some respect on this name. This is <strong>Chima Anya</strong> – hold on let me correct myself DOCTOR Chima Anya’s return to the fresh faves, and he’s done a LOT. I mean, he’s been on Britain’s Got Talent (Yes, yes I yelled at my tv). I’ve interviewed him in the past …

Single Review: “Goodbye 79” – Bloody Tourist

Time for some indie pop from Brighton’s <strong>Bloody Tourist</strong> who I suspect took their name from a 10cc record – if so, that’s a pretty solid reference! This is low key, it starts like as if you’re listening to a talkback from a mixing console where the engineer or producer is talking to the artist …

Song Review: “The Swarm” – Around About Dusk

Another song that garnered lots of votes is this little number, which calls upon instruments that again you rarely get to hear in today’s popular music scene. I hear an accordion, with a double bass and it’s making me want to get lost and dance. I don’t know how but it’s nice and soothing to …

Song Review: “I Fell In Love” – Angels Of Libra

That drum intro is unmistakeably inspired by the incomparable Benny Papa Zita Benjamin. This has Motown written all over it, especially at the height of their Detroit era, you hear woodwind – specifically the flute, which is quite a rarity in pop music nowadays. They are missing a trick there! Lyrically this is about being …